PawsforMobility.org

As a disabled handler fundraising for her service dog I have noticed throughout this journey  a distinct contradiction in this entire process. Before I begin please allow me to establish that this post is not to start a debate about the cost of service dogs or the best method by which to obtain a service dog. This post is to simply talk about the distinct dichotomous nature of fundraising that seems specific to disabled handlers.

I have been fundraising for a few years. Often I query my closest friends on and off of Facebook for fundraising ideas. And often I get answers like garage sales, selling stuff, raffles etc. I have actually done a raffle with good success because I had a great raffle prize donated. I have heard of events such as garage sales having good success rates. However one of the major challenges facing people with disabilities is actually having the ability to do these fundraisers. For example: the physical logistics of putting together a garage sale are beyond my physical abilities. Sure, I can plan and coordinate events such as garage sales. However when it comes to the physical labor I am unable to do to the lifting,  set up, and tear down required to have a garage sale. Unless I have plenty of able bodied people willing to help with the physical aspects of having a fundraiser that are beyond my physical abilities then those great ideas are not possible for me. Imagine someone suffering from PTSD or other debilitating anxiety disorders. Imagine suggesting that they have a fundraiser that requires selling items whether it be a garage sale or door to door fundraiser. While that person might have the physical ability to carry out the details of the suggested fundraiser their disability does not permit them the ability to do tasks that invoke their PTSD or other psychiatric disability.

Therefore what we now have is a  community of people trying to obtain a service dog to help navigate the limitations of their disability who often end up limited by their disability in the fundraising projects they can do. Don’t misinterpret what I am trying to say. There are definitely things each of us can and should do to fundraise for ourselves. However, I am discovering that it takes a team of people to accomplish this goal.
The paradox of fundraising: our greatest desire is to live independently but to achieve this we must depend on others.  This paradox is still something I am slowly coming to grips with.

So far I have only a hope for PawsforMobility.org to assist people with funding their service dogs and a few tips that I have learned thought the school of hard knocks.

Fundraising Tips

1. Before diving head first into fundraising try to gather your fundraising team first. You will be surprised by who you think will want to help with fundraising and who will actually help.
2. Accept the uncomfortable fact that there will be people in your life who you will want to help you with fundraising that will not be interested in helping. However, equally as true is the fact that you will find people who want to help who you would have never thought of.
3. One of the hardest things to deal with while fundraising is watching those very same people who show no interest in helping you jump head first into someone else’s fundraising project. Honestly, you will feel rejected and hurt by this. You would not be  human if you didn’t.  The lesson here is realizing that people can’t give what they don’t have. And if there isn’t a place inside of them for service dog acceptance then it is impossible for them to want to help with your project.
4. You will find friends, love, support and encouragement in the most unexpected places. Focus on the support you do have instead of lamenting about the unexpected rejection you may feel from time to time.  Trust me on this one, focusing on rejection only robs you of your joy and enthusiasm for the hope of your new life with your service dog.
5. Think of fundraising like hunting for treasure. Your treasure is out there waiting for you to find it.
6. Have a day where you don’t think about fundraising at all. This is one of the hardest tips for me to follow especially since I am doing most of my fundraising myself.
7. Help others with their fundraisers. How can you ask people to donate even $10 dollars to your fundraiser if you’re not willing to donate $10 to another fundraiser? We are purposed as humans to live in community with each other. That means not only receiving but giving too.  Like most people with disabilities in a bad economy I am struggling financially to the point of losing everything. However, no matter what I have a budget (albeit small) to donate to other fundraisers. Ghandi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If you want the world to be more charitable then you must be charitable first.
8. Be patent, be positive, be passionate. Let the world see your passion.
9. Last but definitely NOT least: Be grateful for every penny that someone donates. Say thank you more than you ask for help.

What are your issues, concerns or ideas about people with disabilities and fundraising?

From Molly, posted by Eve Rosser on 12/07/2008 (29 items)

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